The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-12-14
served as spreads" for the beds of the

rich.
The small round mirror, framed in vel
vet, is always at hand for toilet use, and
the laying on of cosmetics is so deep that
il is named face writing" Turkish women
understand the arts of repairing the raw
ages of time, and their toilet service is
varied and effective.
Meals are served on bright brass trays of
various sizes, and piece of bread serves
as a spoon, knife and fork, so deity used
that there is neither splitting or crumbling
about the low table beside which cushions
are ranged instead of chairs Exqnisite
neatness prevails and many attendants
are in waiting.
BATH ROOMS OF ALABAsTER.
Every Turkish harem has its bath
rooms, three in number If the owner is
we'll to do. The first is square, chiefly OF
marble, lin the Sultau'5 Palace of Egyp-
tian alabaster), lighted from a glass dome.
A large reservoir built against the
outer wall, with an opening into the bath,
contains the water, half of watch is heat
ed by furnace below it. Hot air pipes
throw intense heat into the room, foun-
tains lead the water from the reservoir and
here the rubbing process is conducted. The
second room is less and furnished only
with marble platform holding mattresses
and cushions, where the bathers repose
after the fatigue of additions too many
for description. Here they smoke cigaretts,
eat fruits and sweets, aad finally wrap
Themselves in soft burnouses and pass TO
the outer chamber where they drouse and
doze on doWny touches till they recover
from the steamiDg heat and the languor
that follows a long, warm bath.
Besides these, there are public baths
where women spend many hours in gossip
and the passive enjoyment of being thor
oughly rubbed, brushed, combed and per-
fumed.
once met famous lady bought With
great price by high official OF Stamboul.
She was Georgian, think, with hair OF
reddish gold-the snnbright tresses OF
Medea-ivory white skin, eyes black as
death, the antelope eyes of the poets The
faintest line of sntimony drawn on the
lids at the root of the long lashes added to
their luster and the witchery of her glance.
She wore the yashmak, and as only ladies
were present begged her to remove it, so
l might see her unveiled loneliness. She
complied without affectation OF timidity
or blushiDg, and returned my gaze with
smiling serenity, too well used to open adj
Iniration for embarrassment. / cannot re-
call her name; il was something which be-
ing interpreted might mean Tulip Cheek.
A rivierer of pearls lay on her neck SNOW
on snOw-and the EXC uisite mouth was a
very Cupid's bow.
NV princess must have been a peerless
maiden ten years before, now, unhappily,
growing stoat as Eastern women usually
do; the result OF luxurious living and
much eating of sweets. Her manner was
soft and gracious, her aspec. the repose Of
supreme content.
Ladies of rank are now struggling into
the miseries Of French toilet, but the old
Turkish dress is much prettier. A loose,
flowing robe of silk or GRIPPE wrought with
gold and silks, without belt or tightness to
limit its comfort. Nothing better adapted
to their climate can be imagined. The
white veil, prescribed by law. without
which no one may appear in stree or pres
ence of man, is thin gaGze, folded bias and
placed over the head, coming down near
the eyebrows larger piece covers the
lower half of the fees and is secured to the
hack hair by jeweled pins. 1t makes a
light, pretty turban which is merciful
cnsrity to the homely, and enhances the
grsce Of the graceful; not hiding the para
disc eyes-ah, those eyes Well may the
minstrels liken their liquid spiendor TO the
reflection of midnight stars at the bottom
Of q we'll. And the wells grow thinner and
thinner in spite of fOimans issued by the
Sultan and read in all the mosques, call
ing attention of heads of families to this
bscksliding and violation OF the law OF the
Prophet
Often have been asked how do Con-
! s'sntinople ladies employ themselves. Like
| others who love leisure, in visiting, prone
! nading, dress and shopping. Their chief
JOY is to float in q caique to the valley of
/ Sweet Waters. the beauty-spot of the
/ Bosphorus. On Friday-the Mohamme-
dan Sundsy-hundreds glide By dressed in
brilliant color, mistlike wells family shad-
| ing their faces. The rowers wear rackets
of scarlet, stiff with shining broidery; IAN
armed slave is on duty clad in barbsric
| stuffs. Cushions of eiderdown, crimson
| haDgings touching the blue water make
! the enchanting picture. o, how its beauty
comes back to me nowl
Their talk with each other is of their
children, the changes and intrigues OF the
Palace, and of dress.
THE TURKISH WOMAN
does not know the word responsibility
She has undisputed control of her proper.
| ty and time, is able 10 take her own part
and by tinesse and perseverance manages
10 have her own way.
Speaking through an interpreter dulls
the edge of conversation, and the IN sresl
trifles suffice. Yet on thinking over oul
talk it does not seem greatly inferior tC
the average morning visit in the land VIZ
love to call our own.
The seclusion OF the Harem gives much
time for discussion and, many a question
of grave import is there debated. Tht
women are well informed in politics, fond
of intrigue, and so artful that our Mission
airy, Dr. Dwight, of Constautinople, writes
ANY one who hiss private scheme to ad
vance, policy to develop, an Office h
| gain or to keep, boy to provide for, or ar
enemy to crush, sends his wife to tn,
harem Of grandee. Women here brlnC
about the most astounding results.
Their manner is ceremonious during for
NAL calls, and they still kiss the hem o
the garment in Difference to age or super
ior. In familiar places, they have a swee
frankness like unframed young girls ant
listen with interest to accounts of on
ways OF living how we keep houss, d.
greet charities, manage the churches, etc.
etc. "How hard" they say in tender pity
that life may be good for you, but woul,
not be at all good for Us. You are mad
for work, we are made for love; this suit
Us best" So they lean back on the silk
cushions, taste the conserve of rose an
of ounce, light their cigarettes and ar
happy. SUSAN E. WALLACE.
| VArdlet for Vtnernnaa